Hi everyone,

on behalf of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI
(www.thebdri.com), I am pleased to announce that we are seeking
Dolphin Research Assistants / Thesis work Students for our 2008
Winter (January-March) season in Sardinia, Italy.

Undergraduate and postgraduate student research projects can be
supported with boat time and office space. An internship period with
the BDRI offers an excellent opportunity for qualified and motivated
individuals to obtain field and laboratory training in marine
mammals' research methodology and analysis under the mentorship of
experienced bottlenose dolphin researchers. Learning, at its best,
should be an active process, one in which the students are challenged
on a daily basis with responsibilities that play a large part in the
outcome of the research projects.

Using study techniques that neither harm nor seriously disturb the
animals, BDRI's researchers are engaged in the conduction of a long
term study about the ecology and behaviour of a Mediterranean
bottlenose dolphin population (Tursiops truncatus) along the north-
eastern coast of Sardinia, as well as collecting detailed information
about their environment.

Interns are required to complete a research project on an assigned
relevant topic, to be written in collaboration and supervision with
the BDRI's thesis advisor. Undergraduate and postgraduate students
can present this personal research project as their Thesis (Bachelor,
Master, Diploma, DEA, etc). Internships can be used for academic or
vocational purposes, but students are solely responsible for making
all arrangements for receiving relevant credit(s) as a result of
completing the internship.

BDRI internships provide invaluable exposure to boat based field
work, marine mammals research, intensive training and mentoring in
marine ecology, and encouragement to work hard, have fun, and learn
from the dolphins and each other. Working with us and our staff, you
will rotate between tasks on land and sea. Onboard our research
vessel the "Spartana" you will work together with our team in search
of cetaceans. To refine details of bottlenose dolphin population
biology and responses to human activities at sea, we will take
identification photos, observe behaviour, and monitor vocalizations
using a hydrophone, etc.

There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are
accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Apply early!

If you are interested and have the required experience and skills,
please Visit our website www.thebdri.com to download information on
Dolphin Research Internships and/or Thesis work in Aranci Bay and how
to get there.


Recent selected scientific publications by BDRI:

1. Díaz López B. and Shirai, J.A., In press. Marine aquaculture and
bottlenose dolphins social structure. Behavioural Ecology and
Sociobiology.
2. Díaz López B., Bunke, M. and Shirai, J.A., In press. Marine
aquaculture off Sardinia Island (Italy): ecosystem effects evaluated
through a trophic mass-balance model. Ecological Modelling.
3. Díaz López, B., Shirai, J.A.; Bilbao Prieto, A. & Méndez
Fernández, P., In press. Diving activity of a solitary wild free
ranging bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Marine
Biological Association U.K.
4. Díaz López B. and Shirai, J.A., 2007. "Bottlenose dolphin
(Tursiops truncatus) presence and incidental capture in a marine fish
farm on the noth-eastern coast of Sardinia (Italy)" Journal of Marine
Biological Association U.K, 87, 113-117.
5. Díaz López, B. and Shirai, J.A., 2007. "Human activities and
bottlenose dolphin's social structure". 21st Annual Conference of the
European Cetacean Society, San Sebastián, Spain, 2007.
6. Underhill, K., Díaz López, B., and Shirai, J.A., 2007."Boat
traffic effects on the diving behaviour of bottlenose dolphins
(Tursiops truncatus) in Sardinia, Italy". 21st Annual Conference of
the European Cetacean Society, San Sebastián, Spain, 2007.
7. Díaz López, B., 2006. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Predation on a Marine Fin Fish Farm: Some Underwater Observations".
Aquatic Mammals 32(3): 305 - 310 pp.
8. Díaz López, B. & Bernal Shirai, J.A., 2006. "Estudio multiescalar
de la influencia de la acuicultura en la presencia de delfines
mulares Tursiops truncatus (Montagu 1821)". CIVA, 2006: 282 - 290pp.
9. Díaz López, B., 2006. "Interactions between Mediterranean
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and gillnets off Sardinia".
ICES Journal of Marine Science 63: 944-951 pp.
10. Díaz López, B. & Bernal Shirai, J.A., 2006. "Diurnal & Nocturnal
behaviour of bottlenose dolphin groups with emphasis on foraging
activity on the northeastern coast of Sardinia (Italy)". 20th Annual
Conference of the European Cetacean Society 2006 - Gdynia, Polonia.
11. Bernal Shirai, J. A., Díaz López, B., Méndez Fernández, P.,
Bilbao Prieto, A. & Díaz da Silva, J.I., 2006. "Analysis of diving
behaviour of a solitary male bottlenose dolphin in the inshore waters
of Galicia (Spain)" 20th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean
Society 2006 - Gdynia, Polonia.
12. Díaz López, B., 2005. Interactions between bottlenose dolphins
with trammel nets in the Sardinia Island. ICES Document CM 2005/X 1.
13. Díaz López, B., 2005. Interaction between bottlenose dolphins and
fish farms: could there be an economic impact? ICES Document CM
2005/X10.
14. Díaz López, B., Marini, L., Polo, F., 2005. The impact of a fish
farm on a bottlenose dolphin population in the Mediterranean Sea.
Thalassas An international Journal of Marine Sciences , 2005, 21
(2):53-58.
15. Díaz López, B. & Shiray, A., 2005. Analysis of diving behaviour
on bottlenose dolphins studied in the inshore waters of Sardinia. "6º
Convegno Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine". November.
Comune di Sperlonga (LT), Italy.
16. Díaz López, B., 2005 & Shirai, A., 2005. A survey of anti-
bottlenose dolphin control at marine fish farm. "6º Convegno
Nazionale sui Cetacei e sulle Tartarughe Marine". November. Comune di
Sperlonga (LT), Italy.
17. Díaz López, B., Marini, L.. and Polo, F., 2004. "Evolution of a
bottlenose dolphins population in the Noth-Eastern waters of Sardinia
(Italy)". In: European Research on Cetaceans - 15 (Ed- P.G.H. Evans).
European Cetacean Society, pp 70-73. Cambrigde, UK.
18. Polo, F; Díaz López, B.; Marini, L. & Brovelli, M., 2002. "Fast
ferries influence on the bottlenose dolphin presence and social
structure in waters of North-eastern Sardinia". 16th Annual
Conference European Cetacean Society. Liege 2002.
19. Díaz López, B.; Marini, L.; Polo, F. & Brovelli, M.,
2002. "Photoidentification of bottlenose dolphin in waters of north-
eastern Sardinia". Poster presented at the 16th Annual Conference
European Cetacean Society. Liege 2002.
20. Díaz López, B., Polo, F. and Marini, L., 2001. " Feeding
Behaviour of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) along the north-
eastern coast of Sardinia. 29th Annual Symposium EAAM. Genova 9-12
March 2001.


Bruno Díaz López
Research Biologist / Marine Zoologist
Chief Researcher
The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI
V.Armando Diaz Nº4 07020 Golfo Aranci (SS) Italy
http://www.thebdri.com
info@...
Tel: + (39) 346 0815414